Cook in Newfoundland.

1767. Part 1: March to June.

Introduction.

James Cook resumed his survey of the coasts of Newfoundland in 1767. The coast to be surveyed was the west coast. Cook had surveyed part of the west coast of the Northern Peninsula as far south as Ferolle in 1764 and had surveyed the south coast of Newfoundland round to Cape Anguille in 1766. In 1767, his intention was to complete the missing section between his earlier surveys.

While this particular piece of coast was new to Cook, Governor Palliser had visited the Bay of Islands in 1766 with a small squadron. Joseph Gilbert, later to sail on Cook's second voyage as master of the Resolution, surveyed and named various features. For example, the islands at the mouth of the Bay of Islands were named then after Palliser's ships.

However, the earlier survy had not been comprehensive and it remained for Cook to carry out a proper survey in his own methodical fashion. He would begin at Cape Anguille and work north. Cook, though, reached Ferolle sooner than anticipated and was able to return south to the Bay of Islands and undertake a more thorough investigation of tha inlet. He even made a rare sortie inland rowing up the Humber River to Deer Lake.

This section of the record begins in early March 1767 with the Grenville at Deptford dockyard on the Thames in southeast London. The vessel was moved into the dry dock for repairs.

A new Master's Mate, Michael Lane, took over from William Parker. As such he was responsible for writing this log. There are slight changes in style, vocabulary and spelling from the previous three years, written up by Parker. For example, with regards spelling, Lane always wrote Fryday and Munday.

The title page of both the Log and Journal finally refer to the vessel as a Brig.

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Please click here for 1766 Part 2: July to November.
Please click here for 1767 Part 2: July to November.

 

Grenville muster for 1767

The crew on board the Grenville for 1767 was recorded on that year's Muster Roll. The crew totalled 19 men in addition to the master and his mate. Michael Lane was Cook's deputy as master's mate and assistant surveyor and took responsibility for sailing the Grenville and writing up the log. As well as Cook, five men returned to Newfoundland who had been with the Grenville in 1766.

Cook, James. Master and Surveyor. From 1766.
Charlton, John. Master's servant. From 1766.
Coal, William. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Doughty, Simon. AB. Joined at Deptford.
English, George. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Flower, Peter. AB. From 1766.
Gilliard, William. AB. From 1766.
Grimshaw, William. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Hardman, Thomas. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Hutchison, Isaac. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Lane, Michael. Master's Mate and Assistant Surveyor. From the Guernsey.
Lind, Alexander. Midshipman. Joined at Deptford.
Norris, Edward. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Rarden, Timothy. AB. From 1766.
Simms, John. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Simpkins, James. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Smith, Isaac. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Smith, Thomas. Carpenter's mate. From 1766.
Surridge, James. AB. Joined at Deptford. Died at York Harbour in the Bay of Islands on 23 June 1767.
Vandome, Abraham. AB. Joined at Deptford.
Vincent, John. AB. Joined at Deptford.

The Muster gives no information about discharges or men running at the end of the the 1767 season.

 

Remarks, etc on Board His Majesty's Brig, the Grenville, James Cook Master, between 03 March 1767 and 15 November 1767.

March 1767.

 
Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Tuesday 3rd Mar. NE Moderate with showers of rain. At 1 PM hauled into dock Since its return from Newfoundland late in 1766, the Grenville had spent the winter moored at Deptford. It now needed to be repaired and fitted out for service in 1767. It was, therefore, moved into the dry dock.
Wednesday 4th SW Fresh gales and fair weather.   The Muster roll shows that six men, including Cook, remained from the 1766 crew and fifteen men were new recruits for the 1767 season.
Thursdy 5th ditto Fresh Gales and hazy weather.    
Friday 6th W by N Moderate and fair.    
Saturday 7th W Ditto weather.    
Sunday 8th WSW Ditto weather.    
Monday 9th SW Ditto weather.    
Tuesday 10th ditto Ditto weather. Ships company received a twelve months wages.  
Wednesday 11th SSE Little wind and rain.    
Thursday 12th SE Ditto weather.    
Friday 13th S Ditto weather.    
Saturday 14th SSW Strong gales and fair weather.    
Sunday 15th SW Moderate and fair weather. Hauled out of dock.  
Monday 16th ditto Moderate and cloudy weather. Employed rigging and fitting [for] sea.  
Tuesday 17th W Ditto weather. Employed as before.  
Wednesday 18th SE Moderate with rain. Employed as before.  
Thursday 19th S Strong gales and rain.    
Friday 20th SW Moderate and rain. Received on board our provisions.  
Saturday 21st WNW Ditto weather. Received on board stores.  
Sunday 22nd W Ditto weather.    
Monday 23rd SW Fresh gales with showers of rain. Employed in fitting for sea.  
Tuesday 24th SSW Ditto weather.    
Wednesday 25th S Ditto weather.    
Thursday 26th SE Moderate with rain.    
Friday 27th SSW Moderate with rain.    
Saturday 28th SW Moderate and fair weather. Got on board our cables.  
Sunday 29th S Ditto weather. Got our anchors on board.  
Monday 30th SW Ditto weather. Got our sails and boats on board.  
Tuesday 31st Mar. W Fresh gales and cloudy    

 

April 1767.

 
Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Wednesday 1st Apr. SW Ditto weather. The pilot came on board to carry us to Woolwich. The pilot coming on board suggests the Grenville was about to sail but neither the Log nor the Journal record the vessel unmooring and leaving Deptford.
Thursday 2nd ditto Moderate and fair.    
Friday 3rd S Ditto weather.    
Saturday 4th SE Ditto weather.    
Sunday 5th S Ditto weather. At 8 PM a collier named The Three Sisters, Thomas Boyd, Master, of Sunderland in coming down the river fell athwart our hause and caried away our bow sprit cap and jib boom. AM Hauled alongside the David sloop. The accident that occurred on Sunday 05 April would appear to have happened with the Grenville still moored with the hauser, which the Three Sisters caught as it sailed past.
The Three Sisters was a collier, one of many small ships employed to transport coal from the River Tyne south down the North Sea to London. Cook, himself, had learned to sail in similar ships operating out of Whitby. It may have been at that time that Cook sailed with or met Thomas Boyd, the Master of the Three Sisters as it is reported that they knew each other.
Monday 6th SE Ditto weather. AM Carried on shore the bowsprit jib boom and cap in order to get others.  
Tuesday 7th SE Moderate and fair weather. At 11 AM got on board our bowsprit and jib boom. Employed rigging ditto.  
Wednesday 8th ENE Ditto weather. At 7 AM hauled from alongside the David sloop and came to sail. At 8 came to off Greenwich. At ½ past 9 weighed and came to sail. At noon came to off Woolwich. The David sloop is not recorded as being a Royal Navy vessel. The Grenville finally was able to sail from Deptford.
Thursday 9th NNE Moderate and fair weather. At 2 PM got on board our ordnance stores.
At 10 AM weighed and came to sail.
 
Friday 10th NE Ditto weather. At 5 PM brought to off Gravesend.
At 8 AM got on board our powder. At 11 weighed and came to sail.
The Grenville had now reached the mouth of the River Thames.
Saturday 11th NE Little wind and fair weather. At 6 PM came to off Lee Roads. At 11 weighed and came to sail.
At ½ past 2 AM brought to in 8 fathoms water upon the wharf. At 11 weighed and came to sail.
Leigh on Sea is situated between Canvey Island and Southend in Essex, on the north shore of the Thames. The roads were the anchorage just offshore.
Sunday 12th E by N
N
Little wind fair weather. At 2 PM brought to off Margaret.
At 1 AM weighed and came to sail. At 8 brought to in the Downs. Sandown Castle NW½W, North Foreland NNE, South Foreland SW½W.
Margaret appears to be simple mistake and Margate in Kent is intended. (The mistake is repeated at the end of the voyage).
Sandown Castle was located just to the north of Deal on the East Kent coast. It was still extant in 1767 but shortly after began to fall down. It is now a total ruin.
Monday 13th ESE
NW
E
ESE
SE
E
(1) Little wind and fair weather.
(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Ditto weather.
(8) Calm.
(12) Ditto weather.

(6) [am]Weighed and came to sail.
(9) Came to in 17 fathoms water. Dover Castle NW.
Dover Castle
Tuesday 14th SE
E
W by N
E by N
ESE
(1) Little wind. Fair weather.
(9) Fresh breezes and fair weather.
(12) Fresh breezes and hazy weather.

(8) Fresh breezes and fair weather.
(12) Ditto weather.

(2) Weighed and came to sail. Set studding sails.
(9) Dungeness Lighthouse SW.
(10) Dungeness Light ENE.
(12) High land of Farelee N by E about 3 or 4 leagues.

(4) Beachy Head NE by N 4 or 5 leagues.

Fairleigh
The Grenville had now passed through the Straits of Dover and had entered the English Channel.
Cook quickly sailed past the Isle of Wight
Wednesday 15th E by S
E
E
ESE
(1) Fresh breezes and cloudy weather.
(4) Fresh breezes and fair weather.
(12) Fresh breezes and fair weather.

(12) Ditto weather.

(4) Dunnose N by E 3 or 4 leagues.
(8) Highland of St. Albans NW by N.

(6) Start NW. Berry Head N 6 or 7 leagues.
(8) Start NNE. Bolt Head NW by N.
(12) Ram Head N 5 or 6 leagues.

St. Albans (Isle of Purbeck)
Start
Berry Head (Brixham)
Bolt Head (South Devon)
Thursday 16th Apr. E ESE N NNE NE N by E (1) Fresh gales and fair weather.

(1) Light breezes and fair weather.
(12) Moderate and fair weather.

(4) Lizard Point NW½W about 6 leagues.
(6) Lizard Point NNW, distance about 3 or 4 leagues.
(8) Lizard Light NE 3 or 4 miles distance.
(10) Lizard Light E½N about 3 or 4 leagues.

(3) Scilly Light bearing NNW.
(8) Scilly bearing NE½E 5 or 6 leagues distance.
(12) Unbent the cables and stowed the anchors in the forecastle.

Lizard Light.
Scilly Light.
Cook and the Grenville were leaving England for what would be Cook's last season in Newfoundland waters.

  From Friday 17 April to Friday 08 May the Grenville was on the open sea crossing the Atlantic out of sight of land. The log records weather details and sailing operations. On Saturday 09 May, Newfoundland came into sight. The records are not complete and somewhat sloppy as there are differences between figures listed in the log and in the journal. Where two readings exist, the journal version has been reproduced here. Various readings were either not made or not recorded. The differences and omissions may be on account of Michael Lane being new to the task.

The crossing in 1767 was made a couple of weeks earlier in the year than previous years. As a result they encountered many icebergs, or "islands of ice" as they approached Newfoundland. The Labrador Current brings icebergs down from Greenland, Baffin Island and the Davis Strait.

 

Day Date Course Distance Latitude Longitude
made
Bearings and Distance
at noon
Friday 17th Apr.   7nbsp; 49º 06' N 3º 48' Scilly N32ºE 52 leagues
Saturday 18th S74ºW 72 miles 47º 56' N 4º 15'  
Sunday 19th S68ºW 120 miles 47º 42' N    
Monday 20th N64ºW 62 miles 47º 39' N 8º 20'  
Tuesday 21st N58ºE 19 miles 47º 49' N 7º 56'  
Wednesday 22nd S by W 58 miles 46º 52' N 8º 12'  
Thursday 23rd S72ºW 30 miles 46º 43' N 8º 53'  
Friday 24th W½N 80 miles 46º 51' N 10º 50'  
Saturday 25th W8ºN 96 miles 47º 02' N 13º 10'  
Sunday 26th W 158 miles 47º 21' N 17º 02'  
Monday 27th W 158 miles 47º 08' N 20º 48'  
Tuesday 28th W by N 94 miles 47º 21' N 23º 04'  
Wednesday 29th W¼N 107 miles 47º 26' N 25º 38'  
Thursday 30th Apr. W by S 52 miles 47º 10' N 26º 53'  
Friday 1st May S82ºW 120 miles 47º 02' N 29º 47'  
Saturday 2nd W 93 miles   31º 49'  
Sunday 3rd N83ºW 35 miles 47º 06' N 32º 40'  
Monday 4th S89ºW 147 miles 46º 49' N 36º 14'  
Tuesday 5th S75ºW 90 miles 46º 27' N 38º 11'  
Wednesday 6th WSW 76 miles 45º 58' N 40º 30'  
Thursday 7th SW by S   45º 09' N 40º 44'  
Friday 8th May       42º 12'  

 

May 1767.

 
Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Saturday 9th May NE by E
NE
NE by N
(1) Fresh gales and hazy weather.

(1) Ditto weather.
(12) Fresh gales and fair.

(4) Sounde 45 fathoms, coarse sand and shells like coarse bran.
(8) Sounded 43 fathoms, large stones.

(1) Sounded 90 fathoms, rocky ground.
(2) Sounded 60 fathoms, ditto.
(4) Sounded 40 fathoms, ditto.
(5) Sounded 32 fathoms, ditto.
(6) Sounded 22 fathoms, sand and pebble stones. Saw Cape Rayce bearing NNE about 2 leagues.
(8) Cape Pine SE by E about 3 miles.
(10) Sounded 18 fathoms, rocky. About ¼ mile without St. Maries Rocks.
(12) Cape St. Maries E½S about 5 miles. Latitude observed 46º 51' N.
Longitude made from Scilly to Cape Rayce 44º 10' W.

Cape Race (46° 39'N, 53° 03'W)
St. Marys Rocks (46° xx'N, 53° yy'W)
Cook had reached Newfoundland for what would prove to be the last time. He headed first for Capes Ray and Anguille, at the southwestern corner of the island. On his passage there he would have some difficulty rounding St.-Pierre and Miquelon Islands, which Cook, himself, had charted four years previously in 1763.
Sunday 10th E by N NW by N (1) Fresh gales and fair weather.
(12) Little wind and fair weather.
(2) Saw His Majesty's ship Pearl standing in for St. Lawrence.
(5) Cape Chapeau Rouge NW about 2 leagues.
(8) Little Lawn Point N by E 1 league.

(4) Cape Barnicle NW by W ½W. Green Island on with Boar Island.
(5) Gallantry Head on with Boar Island. Cape Barnicle on with Cape Langley. Cape Barnicle NNW, Gallantry Head ENE.
(6) Cuttlefish Point on with eastern point Langley Island.
(8) Cape Barnicle NNE. Cape Langley NW by N½W.
(10) Cape Langley NW by N.
(11) Cape Langley NW¼W Columbo just open with St. Peter's Island
(12) Cuttlefish Point on the Island St. Peters SE midway between Cape Langley and Woody Cove.

"On with" denotes that all the features were in a single line of sight.
Tete de Galantry (Gallantry Head) (46° 46'N, 56° 08'W) is the south-east point of St.-Pierre.
Cape Barnicle is the southern point of St.-Pierre. It is unnamed on modern maps.
Pointe de Ouest (Cape Langley) (46° 47'N, 56° 21'W) is the southern point of Langlade,
Pointe de Savoyard (Cuttlefish Point) (46° 46'N, 56° 15'W) is the southwestern point of St.-Pierre.
Woody Cove was a cove, presumably, on the south coast of St. Pierre but it is umcertain which
Monday 11th NE by N
WNW
(1) Moderate and fair weather.
(11) Light airs and fair.
(1) Cape Barnicle E¾N, Cape Langley N by W, Dantzic Point just shut with St. Peters's Isle.
(4) Cape Langley NE, Cape Barnicle SE½E, Bay Point N by E.
(6) Cape Barnicle ESE½E, Cape Langley NE½E, Bay Point N by E.
(7) Cape Langley NE by N¼E, Cape Barnicle E½S.
(8) Cape Langley E by N, Windy Cape E, N part of Langley NNE½E.
(9) Cape Langley ESE on with the body of St. Peters. N part of Langley

(9) Cape Miquelon ESE, Cape Langley SW by S.
(12) Cape Miquelon SSE½E.

Pointe Plate (Bay Point) (46° 49'N, 56° 24'W) is the southwestern point of Langlade, the southern part of Miquelon.
Cap au Diable (Windy Cape) (46° 48'N, 56° 12'W) is the north-western point on St.-Pierrre.
Cap Blanc (Cape Miquelon) (47° 06'N, 56° 24'W) is the north-western point on Miquelon.
Tuesday 12th W by S (1) (pm) Light airs and fair weather. (6) Tacked and stood off shore from the mouth of Oar Bay.
(10) Tacked and stood in shore Cape La Hune N by E, Penguin Islands W.
(1) Tacked and stood over for the Penguin Islands.
(12) Penguin Islands N by E, about 1 league distance.
Aviron (Oar) Bay (47° 32'N, 56° 48'W) is situated on the south coast of Newfoundland just to the east of Cape La Hune.
The term penguin had been used previously for members of the auk family of birds, which are common around Newfoundland. True penguins are only found south of the Equator.
Wednesday 13th SW
E
(1) Light airs and fair weather.
(8-2) Calm and fair weather.

(4) Fresh breezes and hazy weather.

(6) Ramea Rocks WNW½W.

(7) Ramea Columb SSE½S.
(12) E point Le Poile N, Harbour Le Cou NW.

Ramea Columbier (47° 30'N, 57° 27'W) is a small islet, the westernmost of the Ramea Islands. The islands lie about 8 kilometres off the south coast of Newfoundland.
Having reached Newfoundland, Cook was sailing the Grenville along the south coast to Codroy Island in order to take up where he had finished in 1766. This year he would complete the gap on the west coast between Capes Anguille and Riche.
Thursday 14th ESE
WMW
NNW
(1) Fresh gales and hazy.
(6) Little wind and foggy.
(12) Little wind and foggy.

(4) Fresh gales and clear weather.

(8) Calm and thick fog. Lost sight of land.

(12) Cape Ray ESE.

Cape Ray (47° xx'N, 59° xx'W) is the south-western point of Newfoundland.
Friday 15th NW by N
NW
(1) Fresh gales and hazy.

(12) Calm and clear weather.

(4) Stormy Point ENE, Cape Anguille NNE½E.
(10) Cape Anguille NE by N.
(11) Cape Anguille NE. High land [of] Cape Ray S by E¼E.

(7) Came to in Cod Roy Road. Stormy Point SW by S. Southern Point of Cod Roy Island W by S.

Stormy Point (47° 50'N, 59° 23'W) forms the southern end of Capelin Cove and Codroy Road, about 8 kilomteres south of Cape Anguille.
Cape Anguille (47° 55'N, 59° 25'W) is the major headland in the southwest of Newfoundland and the most westerly point of the island.
Saturday 16th SSW
N by E
Light airs and cloudy. At noon fresh. At 10 AM weighed and came to sail. The Southwest and west parts of Newfoundland had long been known to fishermen from the Basque region of northern Spain and southern France. Many of the features in the area had already received names and Cook recorded many of them, often in a corrupt form of the original. Some names had even passed through an intermediate French stage before Cook used them on his charts.
Sunday 17th NE Fresh gales and cloudy. At 10 PM came to in Cod Roy Road. At 6 AM drove, veered away and carried out the kedge anchor.  
Monday 18th NW by W Moderate and fair. At 6 AM weighed and came to sail. At noon Cape Anguille NE.  
Tuesday 19th NW by W
ENE
SSW
Fresh breezes and fair. At 10 PM Cape Anguille S by E.
At 4 AM Cape St. George N by E½E. At 5 Cape St. Georges N by E. At 7 Cape Anguille SW½S. At noon Cape Anguille SW½S.
Cape St. George (48° 28'N, 59° 15'W) is the western headland of the Port au Port peninsula.
Wednesday 20th NE
SW
Moderate and fair weather. At 1 PM Cape St. George NNW. Point of Beach E by N½N. At 8 came to in St. Georges Harbour in 10 fathoms water. Both boats employed on the survey. Found here a tribe of the Mickmak Indians. St. George's Harbour (48° 26'N, 58° 28'W) is an inlet at the head of St. George's Bay.
The Mi'kmaq people were originally from Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island. In the late 1750s and early 1760s they had moved across to southwestern Newfoundland to avoid the authorities in Nova Scotia (the Mi'kmaq had formed a close relationship with the French in Acadia and had become Catholics). They were also looking for new fishing grounds.
Thursday 21st SW
ENE
Fresh gales and fair for the first part. Later fresh gales and hazy with rain. Employed on the survey.  
Friday 22nd W by S Ditto weather. Employed on the survey.  
Saturday 23rd E Moderate and fair Employed on the survey.  
Sunday 24th W by S Moderate and fair. Employed on the survey.  
Monday 25th WNW
ENE
Ditto weather. Employed on the survey. AM Weighed and came to sail.  
Tuesday 26th W
W by N
SW
NW
E
Fresh gales and fair. Working out of the Bay St. George at 8 PM. Came to in 7 fathoms water behind Port aux Port. Cape Anguille S by W. Cape St. George N77ºW.
At 4 AM weighed and came to sail. Sent the boat in shore to sound. At noon Cape St. George WNW, Cape Anguille SW by W.
St. George's Bay (48° 23'N, 59°W) is a large bay on the southwest coast of Newfoundland, between Capes Anguille and St. George.
Port au Port (48° 35'N, 59° 45'W) is a bay and peninsula on the west coast of Newfoundland.
Wednesday 27th NW
NE by E
E
The first part moderate and fair. The later light airs and fair weather. At 8 PM came to under the land in 29 fathoms water. Cape St. George WNW, Cape Anguille SW¼W.
At 4 AM weighed and came to sail.
The peninsula is connected to the mainland by an isthmus. The bay lies to the north of the isthmus and peninsula. A spit runs north from the peninsula to form the west side of the bay.
Thursday 28th ENE
E by N
NE by E
The first part moderate and fair. Later strong gales and squally. At 1 PM came to in 32 fathoms water. The boat in shore sounding. Cape St. George NW by W. At 10 drove, hove up, and came to sail. At 4 PM Red Island N by E 2 or 3 leagues. At noon Cape Anguille S by E. Cook was still off the west coast of the peninsula and outside the bay.
Red Island (48° 34'N, 59° 14'W) is a small island lying off the coast of Port au Port peninsula.
Friday 29th ENE
NE
ENE
ESE
The first part hard gales and squally. Later little wind and hazy with rain. At 8 PM Cape Anguille S by W, Cape St. George NE.
At 5 AM Cape St. George ESE and Cape Anguille S by W. At noon Cape St. George SE by E½E, Red Island E by N¼N.
 
Saturday 30th ESE
ESE
SE
The first and middle part fresh gales and cloudy. Later hazy with rain. At 6 PM Cape St. George SE, Red Island NE.
At 4 Cape St. George SW, Red Island NE by E½E. At noon came to in 17 fathoms water. Bluff Head SW½W, Outer rocks NE by E¼E.
Bluff Head (48° 47'N, 58° 37'W) lies on the eastern side of the entrance to Port au Port Bay.
Sunday 31st May WSW
SW
Fresh breezes and hazy weather. At 6 PM weighed and came to sail. At 10 brought to under the foresail and mainsail. Red Island ESE.
At 4 AM made sail. At noon point of beach off Port aux Port E by N.
 

 

Sailing Directions Notes

 

June 1767.

 
Week
Days
Month
Day
Winds Weather Remarks Notes
Monday 1st Jun. S
SE
Fresh gales and fair weather. PM working into Port aux Port. At 6 came to in 9 fathoms water, body of the Island SW by W, point of beach [space]. Employed on the survey.
At 5 AM weighed and worked further in, came to under the island in 18 fathoms water. Employed on the survey.
Fox Island (48° 44'N, 58° 42'W) is a small island near the mouth of Port au Port Bay.
Tuesday 2nd SSW Moderate and fair weather. Employed on the survey.  
Wednesday 3rd SSE Ditto weather. At 8 AM hove up and came to sail, working up the bay.  
Thursday 4th ESE
NNE
SE
Ditto weather. At 6 PM came to in 14 fathoms water. South point of island N by E½E. Flag at the southernmost point of the base N23ºE, Hummock N63ºE.
At 6 AM weighed and came to sail. Working up the bay. Employed on the survey.
A hummock was a name given by mariners to a low hill, or small elevation of land resembling the figure of a cone. It is impossible to know exactly which hill was meant here. It was probably somewhere near the mouth of Fox Island River.
Friday 5th S
NNW
First part moderate and fair. Later fresh gales and clear weather. At 5 PM anchored in 10 fathoms water at the head of the bay of Port aux Port, half a mile form shore.
At 4 AM attempted to get under sail but the blowing on shore and the anchor not holding until we could heave short. Was obliged to veer away to half a cable. Landed on the isthmus and took the true bearing of Cape Anguille.
An isthmus is a narrow neck of land joining two larger pieces of land. This isthmus (48° 33'N, 58° 44'W) joins the Port au Port Peninsula onto Newfoundland. In doing so, it separates Port au Port Bay (to the north) from St. George's Bay (to the south).
Saturday 6th NNW Fresh and clear weather. At 6 AM hove up and came to sail. Employed all this day in sounding the bay.  
Sunday 7th variable
NNE
First and middle parts light and variable. Later fresh breezes and clear. At 9 PM anchored in the harbour of Pot aux Port, which lies at the head of the bay in 5 fathoms water.  
Monday 8th NNE
SW
First part ditto weather. Remainder fresh breezes and hazy with rain. Employed sounding the harbour, brewing beer, watering and cutting of wood.  
Tuesday 9th ditto Hazy with rain all these 24 hours. At 8 AM went in the boat along the western shore but the fog continuing obliged to return without doing much. The other boat employed sounding the harbour and fixing sticks round it.  
Wednesday 10th SSW
NNE
First part hazy with rain. Remainder fair and clear weather. The day finished the survey of the head of the bay and harbour, and got NNE all the beer, wood and water on board.  
Thursday 11th variable Fore and middle parts light breezes and clear. Later fresh breezes and cloudy. At 6 AM weighed and came to sail. Employed sounding the bay both with the vessel and boat.  
Friday 12th SSE
W
NW
Fore and middle strong gales and hazy with rain. Later fresh breezes and fair. At 1 PM the foretopsail yard gave way in the slings, which obliged us to stand away for the SW part of the bay where we anchored. At 3 sent some hands ashore to cut a stick for a yard and shifted the main topsail yard foreward and got the spritsail yard up aloft.
At 8 AM weighed and came to sail. Employed all this day in surveying and sounding of the west side of the bay.
The Yard-slings were the ropes or chains used to support a yard which did not travel up or down the mast.
Saturday 13th WNW
NWN
First part fresh gales and fair. At 8 PM anchored in 12 fathoms before the beach which is on the west side of the bay a little within the point.
At 5 AM sent the carpenters and one man shore to make the topsail yard. Employed this day in surveying and sounding the point of the bay.
Long Point (48° 48'N, 58° 46'W) is the northern extension of Port au Port Peninsula that encloses Port au Port Bay. The inner shore or beach near the point is called Blue Beach (48° 48'N, 58° 46'W)
Sunday 14th NW
SSW
S
Fore and middle parts moderate and fair. Later fresh gales and hazy with rain. At 9 AM weighed and stood over to the eastern side of the bay and anchored. The island bearing WSW.  
Monday 15th S
variable
First and middle parts fresh gales and squally with rain. Later moderate and fair. At 6 AM weighed and came to sail. Employed sounding about a shoal which lies between the island and the western shore.  
Tuesday 16th W
WSW
Moderate and fair weather. At 8 PM anchored on the west side of the island.
At 5 AM weighed and came to sail. Employed all the day in sounding the entrance of the bay both in the vessel and boats.
 
Wednesday 17th WSW
variable
Moderate and fair weather. At 9 PM came to under the land in 15 fathoms.
At 5 AM weighed. Employed in sounding about the reef which lies off Shag Island.
Shag Island (48° 53'N, 58° 35'W) is an islet north of Port au Port Bay. About 5 kilometeres to the WNW is a reef, Long Ledge (48° 54'N, 58° 41'W)
Thursday 18th ditto
WSW
Little wind and fair weather. At 8 PM came to under the land in 15 fathoms water.
At 5 weighed. Employed in sounding about the reef which lies off Shag Island.
 
Friday 19th S
SSW
Fresh gales and fair weather the first part. Later very strong gales and hazy with rain. At 9 PM anchored in 11 fathoms without the reef, Shag Island bearing ESE½E. At 5 AM weighed and came to sail. Employed sounding in the vessel only, it blowing too hard for the boat.  
Saturday 20th   First part very strong gales and squally with rain. Remainder moderate and fair. At 1 PM bore away for the Bay of Three Islands and at 9 anchored in York Harbour in that bay. Employed sounding the Harbour. The Bay of Islands (49° 10'N, 58° 15'W) is a large inlet on the west coast of Newfoundland. Several islands lie at its mouth, which led to its name. The name, or a close variant, had already been applied for some years. Just inside the southern point of the bay is a cove called York Harbour (49° 03'N, 58° 22'W).
Sunday 21st W Moderate and fair weather. Employed wooding and watering.  
Monday 22nd S Moderate and fair weather. This day at noon found the latitude of Guernsey Isle to be 49º 8' 20". The southernmost island across the entrance to the bay is Guernsey Island (49º 11'N, 58º 22'W). It and its neighbours, Tweed and Pearl, were named after ships in Governor Palliser's squadron.
Tuesday 23rd S
WNW
Light winds with rain all the 24 hours. Departed the life James Surridge seaman. James Surridge had joined the Grenville at Deptford earlier that year. His will can be obtained from the Family Records Centre (FRC) of National Archives (03 February 1768, PROB 11/936).
Wednesday 24th SSW Moderate and fair weather. At 6 AM weighed and came to sail/ Plying up to Port aux Port and soundiing the coast. Cook had left the Bay of Islands and had returned to be off the coast north of Port au Port Bay.
Thursday 25th SSW Moderate and fair weather. Employed as per last. At noon Shag Island S½E.  
Friday 26th SSW Fore and middle parts little wind and hazy. Later strong gales and hazy. At 8 PM anchored under Shag Island in 21 fathoms.  
Saturday 27th SSW
variable
First part strong gales and hazy. Later little wind and foggy. Employed all this day in sounding.  
Sunday 28th ditto
SSW
Fore and middle parts moderate and foggy. Later moderate and fair. At 8 PM anchored under Shag Island.  
Monday 29th SW
SW by W
First part moderate and fair. Later very strong gales and hazy with rain. At 2 AM weighed and run down shore to the northward having finished Port aux Port and the adjacent coast. It blowing very hard obliged to put in the bay in the Bay of Three Islands. The Bay of Three Islands is an alternative name for the Bay of Islands.
Tuesday 30th Jun. WSW First part very hard gales with excessive heavy squalls and heavy rain which obliged us for to bear up for the River Medway not being able to work into York Harbour as intended. At 7 PM anchored off a small cove at the south entrance of the river in 32 fathoms water and moored with the kedge. The North Arm (previously called the River Medway) (49° 12'N, 58° 05'W) extends inland for 10 kilometres. Old Woman Head forms the southern side of the inlet and near the point is North Arm Cove (49° 11'N, 58° 06'W) where Cook anchored.

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